2008 blasts case: SC pulls up State over delay in trial

The Supreme Court on Friday pulled up the Karnataka government for the  slow pace of trial in the 2008 Bengaluru serial blasts case.

 
A bench presided over by Justice Jasti Chelameswar told the government that every effort should be made to expedite the trial and deliver justice in the case. The court also suggested the government to set up special court to dispose of the case.

Representing the State government, senior advocate Raju Ramachandran, however, sought time to seek instructions on the court’s suggestion for setting up a special court.

Travel time

Prime accused in serial blasts Abdul Nasser Maudany, in an application, contended it took at least two hours for him to travel from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison to attend trial proceedings held at a sessions court in Bengaluru city. The time taken during the travel had a debilitating effect on the effective trial, he claimed.

Advocates Prashant Bhushan and Haris Beeran, representing the PDP leader, claimed that the Karnataka government had earlier in November assured to complete the trial in four months but has now sought two years more for it. Ramachandran, on his part, claimed the Bengaluru special NIA court was holding four days a week hearing in the case.